Dan’s Story – Physical & Financial support
Racing Welfare gave an expectant young family facing physical health and financial dilemmas, the ‘breathing space’ they needed to survive, after an injury threatened to see a talented work rider left out of the saddle for good.
Dan Burns, 39, a self-employed work rider from Lambourn, sustained a debilitating knee injury while playing Rugby, resulting in damage to his anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus cartilage. Unable to walk, let alone ride, Dan, who is highly experienced and has worked in the racing industry for more than two decades, was unable to work, and being self-employed, it meant he didn’t have an income to support him and his family.
At the time of his injury in 2023, his wife Bridie was expecting their first baby, and at what should have been the happiest time of their lives, they were left worrying about how they were going to survive financially and get Dan better and back into work.
“I got injured and six weeks later our daughter was born. I couldn’t really do much for myself so my wife had to look after me as well as our new born daughter – I felt awful about the situation. I saw a surgeon and was put on the emergency list for surgery, and he only gave me a 20% chance of riding again because of the extent of my injuries. It was really touch-and-go,” Dan said.
“After the surgery I needed intense rehabilitation, and this is where Racing Welfare stepped in, and I can’t praise them highly enough. Kerry, a welfare officer, was so helpful and quick at getting things sorted. As well as arranging and funding physiotherapy, I was also awarded a financial grant to cover our rent for two months – it gave us the breathing space we really needed. I’m normally quite a strong person mentally, but I did struggle to cope when I was injured, in pain and out of work. My little girl and wife definitely helped me through it – along with the support from Racing Welfare,” he added.
Out of work for over a year, due to the extent of his injuries, at its peak, Dan was accessing rehabilitation and physiotherapy support on a twice-daily basis, organised and funded by Racing Welfare and delivered at Oaksey House Rehabilitation and Fitness centre in Lambourn. Dan is now back in the saddle and riding for a number of trainers and consignors including Owen Burrows and Malcolm Bastard.
Dan said: “Racing Welfare saved our future, and meant I had the time and support I needed to get back to work. I ride as many lots as I can and juggle my workload with my wife’s, so we’re able to care for our daughter and both earn too. I’m back to full fitness now and doing a job I love thanks to Racing Welfare.”
Aimed at helping racing’s people from recruitment to retirement, to thrive in day-to-day life and through a range of life’s challenges, Racing Welfare is a charity dedicated to enhancing and supporting the wellbeing of the workforce of British horseracing. If you’ve experienced an injury, or require financial advice, please contact Racing Welfare’s Racing Support Line on 0800 6300 443 to find out more about how we can help.